play (right) into (one's) hands

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play (right) into (one's) hands

To unwittingly do exactly what someone wants or needs in order for their plans or schemes to succeed. Don't waste your time investigating her husband! You're playing into the real killer's hands!These media reports play right into the president's hands.

play into someone's hands

Fig. [for a person one is scheming against] to assist one in one's scheming without realizing it. John is doing exactly what I hoped he would. He's playing into my hands.John played into my hands by taking the cash he found in my desk. I caught him and had him arrested.

play into someone's hands

COMMON If you play into someone's hands, you do something that gives them an advantage over you or helps them defeat you. Trying to prevent an investigation plays right into the hands of our critics.Differences of opinion over policy could play into the hands of the country's enemies.

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